SPRING FLOWERS

Where have all the flowers gone? As we drove down East 28th Street on Sunday morning I was anticipating a fun morning shopping for a spring bouquet for my husband's 90 year old aunt. I looked for the telltale burst of color from buckets of fresh flowers that line the sidewalks and announce the wholesale floral district. Half way down the street and I still didn't see any flowers.  A new boutique hotel and a sign announcing the Grand Opening of a Ramen Noodle shop had replaced two of my favorite wholesale floral shops. My favorite wholesale floral shop Fischer and Page was closed, the victim of rising rents. I was incredibly sad. 

I found one of my old favorite shops still in business-the owner's were busy laying out wooden crates filled with tulips and spring crocus on the street corner. I entered the shop, warm and intoxicating with the scent of gardenias.  Rows of French tulips and roses in dozens of colors lined the walls. The owner filled a wooden crate with red French tulips, budding crocus and purple hyacinths, a gorgeous breath of spring. It was a lovely Sunday morning in the city. I hope the remaining shops survive.